New To Linux

Ubuntu is a Debian-based distro, with Unity as the default desktop environment. It’s one of the most popular distros around, and it improves with every release. The latest releases are slick, polished distros, optimized for both desktops, laptops and hybrids.

Linux Mint is an elegant, modern distro that is easy to use, yet powerful. It’s based on Ubuntu, is reliably safe and comes with one of the best software managers. These days it’s one of the most popular Linux distributions around, claiming to be the most popular home operating system after Windows and Mac OS.

Mint comes with a wide range of desktop options. You can have the default Cinnamon desktop, or with MATE, KDE, or Xfce. Linux Mint Debian Edition is also available, aimed at experienced Linux users.

Deepin is an Ubuntu based distro with the stylish Deepin Desktop Environment (DDE), intended to appeal to newer Linux users. It’s simple and intuitive, featuring one of the best system settings panel displays of any distro. DMusic, DPlayer and DTalk are among the dedicated applications.

Deepin also features an easy to use software center, far superior to similar tools in other distros.

PCLinuxOS is designed with regular PC users in mind, and features the KDE Plasma Desktop by default. This distribution makes it easy to install drivers, get Office software, edit photos, get online and start using multimedia. Snapshot backups are easily created.

Zorin OS is designed specifically for newcomers to Linux, easing the transition from Windows to Linux. The Ubuntu-based distro features, apps that will be familiar to Windows users, and makes it easy for users to run the Windows apps they still need. Zorin OS 9 looks a lot like Windows 7, simply to win some new Linux converts from those leaving Windows behind.

Challenging Elementary OS for the unofficial title of “sexiest Linux distro” is Apricity, which takes a similar approach. Instead of the Windows-esque styling of Cinnamon and MATE, Apricity offers a stunning desktop environment that is more evocative of Android or iOS than anything from Microsoft.

General

The OpenSUSE distribution is a general distro for Linux built by the OpenSUSE Project, aiming to be both a great beginner distro and something that appeals to experienced Linux users. OpenSUSE comes with YAST, an administration program that controls installations, package management and more.

Fedora uses the GNOME desktop environment by default, but users can easily switch to KDE, Xfce, LXDE, MATE and Cinnamon, among others. Custom variations of Fedora, known as Fedora spins, are available for users with particular needs.

Debian is an older Linux distribution which comes with the GNOME desktop environment. However, it’s also available for FreeBSD and work is in progress to support other kernels, such as the Hurd. Debian prides itself on coming preloaded with over 37500 packages, and with simple utilities that make it easy to get more.

Korora was originally based on Gentoo Linux, and evolved with the aim of making Linux easy for newcomers, but also useful for experts. It comes with a choice of desktop environments, including the Cinnamon, GNOME, KDE, MATE and Xfce desktops.

Slackware is a distro built specifically for security and simplicity, aiming to be the most UNIX-like Linux distribution. It’s particularly useful for server management, as it has FTP, email and web servers available to use immediately.

SparkyLinux is a distribution that has evolved from the “testing” branch of Debian. The main edition comes with a customized version of the lightweight LXDE desktop, with other customized desktops available.

Gentoo Linux can be adapted to almost any requiremnent. Its versatility and performance are what sets it apart from other distros. Gentoo Linux also comes with an advanced package management system called Portage.

PinGuyOS is both beautiful and ready to use from the start. The Ubuntu-based distribution comes pre-packaged with all the best software for regular use and for network setup, making it perfect for beginners. It features a modified GNOME user interface.

Multimedia Production/Creative

Save time installing artistic tools and applications to Fedora by simply installing this spin from the Fedora artistic design team. Focusing on art and illustration, and desktop publishing, you’ll find tools like Inkscape and GIMP are preinstalled, along with many others.

First released in 2007, Ubuntu Studio is probably the default choice for Linux users with creative talents. With the inclusion of the Xfce desktop environment and low kernel latency, everything is geared towards media production.

All of the creative distros listed here offer a good mix of tools, and while KXStudio is no different, it focuses on audio production. Throw in the KDE desktop and you have a digital studio capable of considerable performance.

ArtistX is specifically tailored to artists of all types, from music to graphic design. It’s based on Ubuntu and comes pre-packaged with all the best 2D and 3D graphic design, video production, and audio manufacturing software for GNU/Linux.

If animation, 3D modelling, compositing, digital painting, and image editing are your preferred multimedia techniques, you need Iro. Without a vast library of tools (like, for instance, Ubuntu Studio) for every eventuality, Iro instead provides a focused group of apps. Add in the stripped back user interface, and you have a distro that can install and get to work with, without the fuss.

Educational

DouDou Linux is for young children, with the aim of teaching them how to explore computers and learn from them. It provides games and educational programs suitable for kids aged 2-12 and is a safe environment that parents won’t have to watch over.

Edubuntu has been created (thanks to an Ubuntu partnership) to be as easy as possible for teachers to set up, and for kids of all ages to use. It comes pre-packaged with all the best free software for education.

Raspberry Pi Distros

The default operating system for the popular Raspberry Pi is Raspbian Jessie, produced in-house at the Raspberry Pi Foundation, and based on Debian. This ARM distribution features a bunch of programming tools, such as Scratch, aimed at helping newbies get started with coding.

Similar to Raspbian is Kano OS, also built on Debian, but with greater focus on coding, this time for children. Here, a more intuitive user interface provides all of the tools a child needs to get coding with the minimum of fuss.

Lightweight/Minimal

Lubuntu is a lightweight distro based on Ubuntu that’s perfect for laptop usage. It uses the minimal desktop LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) and comes with lightweight applications designed for energy-efficiency and speed. It’s great for most older computers, netbooks and mobile devices as it uses minimal RAM and has low system requirements.

Xubuntu is an Ubuntu derivative that uses the Xfce (XForms Common Environment) desktop environment, meaning it is elegant and lightweight. It’s great for laptops and netbooks as well as desktops. Because it is light and uses few system resources, Xubuntu is perfect for older computers.

Puppy Linux is a distribution that’s really small and can be run entirely from RAM. This means Puppy Linux is great for older computers, even without hard drives! It is also easy to use for malware removal.

Manjaro Linux is a fast, easy-to-use, light-weight distribution based on Arch Linux. It aims to give all the benefits of Arch Linux, with more user-friendliness and accessibility, making it easier on newcomers. The Xfce desktop is the default, but other options are available.

Arch Linux is a distribution designed with experienced users in mind. This lightweight minimalist distribution aims to keep things simple, and uses a rolling release model for updates. It features a custom-made package manager called “Pacman”, which makes it easy to build, modify and share packages.

This Ubuntu-based Bodhi Linux distribution comes with the lightweight and beautiful Enlightenment desktop. Bodhi is extremely customizable, with themes and apps readily available to expand on the light beginnings.

Video Gaming

Gaming on Linux is becoming increasingly popular, and while you can easily install the Linux version of the Steam digital download service on Ubuntu, you might prefer to go all-out and install Steam OS. This is a gaming-focused distro, optimized for gaming performance, with proprietary graphics and sound drivers built in, along with the Steam client.

Giving you the ability to play almost 6000 games, the Ubuntu Game Pack comes with Steam built in, along with PlayOnLinux and Wine for Windows games. This is based on Ubuntu 14.04, and is a great choice if you want to just install your new OS and start gaming right away!

Based on Ubuntu 15.10, Play Linux is an optimized distro that enables you to use Linux as a gaming machine thanks to the Auto GPU installer tool. This basically streamlines the problem of installing a suitable graphics card driver, enabling you to just play the games.

Various editions of SparkyLinux are available, but this game-focused one is probably the most useful. With an LXDE desktop and a host of preinstalled games, you’ll also find Steam, PlayOnLinux and Wine preinstalled. That’s a vast library of free and premium games at your fingertips!

Security and Recovery

Formerly known as BackTrack, Kali Linux is a penetration testing distro, widely used in the online security community. This Debian-based Linux distribution makes it easy to perform digital forensic tasks.

GParted is a single-purpose distribution, designed to make it easy to partition hard drives using a graphical interface. Linux users will be familiar with the standard version that appears in many distributions. This version is a standalone, dedicated OS, however, ready to run as a live CD. Need to perform some disk management without booting into your computer’s operating system? Use GParted.

TAILS is a distribution that revolves wholly around the concept of privacy and security. It is a live operating system you can use from a DVD, USB stick or SD card, so that you can be safe using any computer and leave no trace of your activities. All internet connections are routed through TOR (The Onion Router) for the best possible anonymity, and cryptographic tools are readily available to protect all your communication methods from prying eyes.

Business

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a commercial derivative of Fedora, designed with enterprise customers in mind. There are a number of variants and addons, and certification is available for both administrators and applications.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop is designed for business use and is therefore enterprise-ready from installation, making it easy to work with a variety of office programs. It’s flexible enough to run on a variety of devices, but is reliable enough for extremely critical processes. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server edition is also available.

Tell Us Your Favorite Distros

This is just a snapshot of the top Linux distros currently available. We’re literally just scratching the surface of what’s out there, so why not tell us about your favorite Linux distribution and why you love it?

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